House passes conceal and carry on college campuses

A Missouri resident with a carry and conceal permit would be allow to carry his handgun on a college campus under a bill moving forward in the House.

An amendment attached to HCS HB 668 would make the change to the conceal and carry law approved in Missouri in 2003. The original bill expands the state Castle Doctrine.

Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) told colleagues that he saw a lot of mischief on the University of Missouri campus as a judge, especially during fraternity hazing.

"Now what we’re going to do here today is we’re going to put guns in the fraternity houses and in the dormitories," Kelly stated. "And it is inconceivable that good is going to come from that."

Others warn of a deadly mix of immature young people, alcohol and firearms.

The sponsor of the measure, Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown) disagreed with the assessment of the critics. He stated that good has already come from citizens using their own guns to stop a slaughter on a campus.

"The Appalachian School of Law, 2002, a gentleman went in there and was going to cause mass murder," Munzlinger said. "He killed three and he wounded three before two other students went to their vehicles and retrieved their firearms and held him until the police arrived."

Munzlinger points out that residents can’t get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Missouri until they are properly trained and proven to qualify.

The House approved Munzlinger’s amendment on a 106-to-41 vote.

The bill, with the expansion of conceal and carry, needs another positive vote to move to the Senate.